Health Department Vaccine Update: No Doses Allocated to Tompkins County for Week of 1/18, More Doses Expected for Week of 1/25

**This is an official release from the Tompkins County Health Department. Tompkins Weekly did not write this article.**

New York State did not allocate doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the Tompkins County Health Department for the week of January 18, 2021. A limited number of doses are being delivered to local pharmacies; their booking processes are done directly through the pharmacies.

A reduced supply of vaccine was delivered to the State from the Federal Government, and the State has redirected a significant number of doses to the State-run mass vaccination sites, including those near Binghamton and Syracuse. The Health Department expects more doses to be allocated to our community during the week of January 25^th, the Health Department continues to work with the State planning for future allocations.

This limited availability does not impact those who have already registered for their second dose of the vaccine.

“We are encouraging the public to continue to be patient. We recognize the stress and anxiety that this places on the public – this pandemic is tough for all of us, please continue to be compassionate with one another and keep one another safe and healthy,” stated Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director.

We will continue to communicate more information as it becomes available through press releases, the Health Department website, robocalls, and other methods. Please do not call the Health Department or other local agencies for help registering, there are no available appointments at this time. If you have questions about the vaccine, please call 2-1-1 (877-211-8667).

For local updates and information, check the TCHD website.

Individuals who travel to or from a non-contiguous state must quarantine for a period of 10 days when entering New York or follow the travel-related testing guidelines. More information about the travel-related testing guidelines can be found on the NYS Travel Advisory webpage. For more information about how to quarantine, refer to the TCHD website.

Everyone can continue to take these steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community:

• Refrain from non-essential travel.
• Keep 6 feet distance between yourself and others when in public.
• Wear a mask at all times in public spaces, especially when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Masks and face coverings must be worn by everyone over age 2 at all times in public places when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Fines are enforceable for individuals who are in violation of these regulations. Businesses must deny entry to anyone who is not wearing a face covering.
• Non-essential gatherings are limited to 50 people for our region, but must comply with distancing and face covering guidance. Non-essential gatherings in private residences, indoor or outdoor, are limited to 10 people or less.
• Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid close and continued contact with other people not in your household.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

To file a complaint about a business or social gathering go to the TCHD website.

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